Pratt & Whitney's PurePower PW1000G demonstration engine has completed the first phase of flight testing on a company-owned 747SP flying test bed. The PW1000G engine completed 12 flights and ran approximately 43 hours with tests focused on engine performance and operability. The demonstration engine has been shipped to Toulouse, France, to be installed on an Airbus-owned A340 flight test aircraft. A joint Airbus and Pratt & Whitney flight test program will begin in the fourth quarter, as part of Airbus' on-going, extensive research into new, greener engine architectures.
Airbus will be the first aircraft manufacturer to fly the PurePower PW1000G demonstrator engine on their own flight test aircraft. Test results will contribute to the company's long-term research and technology assessment of new engine configuration developments.
